9th February 2015

Come on Everybody—Sing!

“Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King!”Psalm 149:2 (NKJV)

I was surprised and delighted to be serenaded by two young girls at the bus stop this morning. They were there with their mother and obviously practicing the song for a special occasion, sadly all the words that I can remember are: “I sing when I’m happy and I sing when I’m sad; come on everybody—sing!” Such a simple tune and lyrics but a very meaningful message none-the-less. It was such a joy to listen to, and of course I joined in! Their sister who was about two years old, only wanted to sing “Twinkle, twinkle, little star”, so I sang along with her too and fortunately I did remember all those words.

There’s a joy in singing that we have all experienced from time to time, a deep feeling of expressed emotion that wells up as we surrender to the lyrics and the music. This is especially evident whilst singing praises to God; notice how King David puts it in Psalm 30:11-12 (NLT), “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I may sing praises to you and not be silent, O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!”

It’s interesting that many great church buildings are dedicated, and perhaps even have this inscription on a special stone: “To the glory of God”, and so they should be, but you know it’s interesting that we also should be dedicated in the same way. Notice this beautiful thought written by the apostle Paul: “So that we who first hoped in Christ [who first put our confidence in him have been destined and appointed to] live for the praise of his glory! (Ephesians 1:12 Amplified, italics mine).

Praises are usually sung and worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father but surprise, surprise, our Father returns that joy and song towards us: “The Lord your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you” (Zephaniah 3:17 NCV).

With a God such as this, why wouldn’t we want to sing for joy?

Come on everybody—sing!

Prayer
Father, we exalt your great name; we come joyfully at this time to offer thanks and praise.
Amen

Study by Cliff Neill

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About the Author:Cliff Neill is an Elder in Grace Communion Church Luton.